I revised the fin can adding in some detail at the bottom of the fins, and added the wedge shaped coupling connectors.
US Army Redstone Part 2
I figured out the problem with the nose cone. It was a two part issue, while some of the polygons appear to be properly touching in Tinkercad, they really were not, there was a tiny gap. The second issue was a mistake I made in Tinkercad for the wall thickness, Continue Reading
US Army Redstone Part 1
While I was searching for the Mercury Redstone scale date, I was reminded of the US Army Redstone Missile. I used the scale data I came across and created a 3D model of a nose cone in the same 1:52 scale for an ST-16/BT-56 tube size. I printed a test Continue Reading
Mercury Redstone 1:52 Part 4
I decided to try my hand at making a 3D part and created a fin can for it. I didn’t do a lot of detail, did about what I would have done in balsa. And it certainly isn’t scale, but it turned out pretty good I think. The fin can Continue Reading
Mercury Redstone 1:52 Part 3
The Mercury Capsule with Escape Tower is assembled and glued. I still need to create a shock cord attachment, and if necessary add some weight to the nose. I am really happy with how this came out.
Mercury Redstone 1:52 Part 2
I decided to reprint the Capsule with the new printer. Not as obvious to tell from the photos, but in person there is quite a difference in quality. I’m glad I reprinted.
Mercury Redstone 1:52 Part 1
I may have pushed the limits on my 3D printer with this one. After a number of failed attempts I was able to print the tower structure for a Mercury capsule. This is at 1:52 scale designed to fit in a Centuri ST-13 body tube (Estes BT-56). It is printed Continue Reading
Enerjet 1340 Fin Can 3D Print
JackHydrazine did a terrific job creating 3D files for the Enerjet 1340 fin can. The file can be found here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3641770. I printed it overnight and it came out really well. I used PETG. It’s strong and can withstand higher temperatures like ABS and is not brittle like PLA, it Continue Reading
Saturn 1B 1:156 Part 3
To Engine Mount or Not to Engine Mount? That is the question. I have a dilemma. An 18mm BT-20 engine mount will not fit in the space left from the BT-4 tank tubes. I was planning on cutting out an 1/8 of an inch down the length of each BT-4 Continue Reading
Blast from the past, Estes renegade!
Here’s a blast from the past. An old favorite and workhorse, an Estes renegade kit #1271. This launch was August of 1978 from my parents’ front yard. It flew on the mighty Estes D engine!